F1 Starting Grid 2024 Qatar Grand Prix
Event: Qatar F1 Grand Prix
Track: Losail International Circuit
Warm-up lap starts at: 19:00 Local | 17:00 CET | 16:00 UK | 08:00 LA | 01:00 Tokyo
2024 Qatar Grand Prix: Start Grid Shakes Up After Verstappen's Penalty
The start grid for the 2024 Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix has undergone a last-minute shuffle following a penalty handed to Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion was demoted one place after Race Control ruled he drove unnecessarily slowly during qualifying. This decision propels Mercedes’ George Russell to pole position, with Verstappen now lining up alongside him on the front row.
The penalty adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated race at the Lusail International Circuit. With McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locking out the second row and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc poised in fifth, the battle at the front promises to be fierce. High tyre degradation and strategic battles will undoubtedly play a pivotal role as the teams gear up for what could be a thrilling penultimate race of the season.
Here’s how the grid looks ahead of lights out.
F1 Starting Grid 2024 Qatar GP
| Pos | No | Driver | Team | Lap Time | Pole gap |
| 1 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:20,575 | +0,055s |
| 2 | 1 | *Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:20,520 | |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:20,772 | +0,252s |
| 4 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:20,829 | +0,309s |
| 5 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:20,852 | +0,332s |
| 6 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:21,011 | +0,491s |
| 7 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:21,041 | +0,521s |
| 8 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:21,251 | +0,731s |
| 9 | 11 | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull | 1:21,425 | +0,905s |
| 10 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:21,500 | +0,980s |
| 11 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:21,437 | +0,917s |
| 12 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | 1:21,501 | +0,981s |
| 13 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 1:21,731 | +1,211s |
| 14 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | 1:21,771 | +1,251s |
| 15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:21,911 | +1,391s |
| 16 | 23 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1:22,390 | +1,870s |
| 17 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:22,411 | +1,891s |
| 18 | 27 | Nico Hülkenberg | Haas | 1:22,442 | +1,922s |
| 19 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Williams | 1:22,594 | +2,074s |
| 20 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:22,714 | +2,194s |
*Penalty:
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull #1 - received a 1 place grid penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly during qualifying.
✅ Don't forget to check out the 2024 Qatar F1 Grand Prix preview.
